Gowan’s departure from the U.S. Senate race leaves five in the hunt for his party — Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, former Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, Wendy Rogers, a retired Air Force pilot and Shawn Redd, a businessman.

In a statement, Gowan said, “Staying in the race, and taking conservative votes away from the rest of the field meant that not only could my campaign result in costing conservatives the nomination, but Republicans the seat in November. I could not allow that to happen.”

U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democrat, represents the district. She is running for the U.S. Senate.